The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A groundhog in the grass.
Five things to know about groundhogs, an animal for all seasons
2/2/2024Read moreGroundhogs get a lot of attention on Feb. 2, but there's a lot more to these critters than the silly notion that they can predict when winter will end.
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Two birds eating from a bird feeder.
How to keep the birds visiting your yard all winter long
1/31/2024Read moreThe days have become noticeably colder and shorter, and food supplies have become more scarce for many birds. But you can keep birds visiting your yard all year long by providing the right foods.
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A person standing in front of a map display in a museum.
Meet a Naturalist: Amy McNeil, a lifelong history buff
1/29/2024Read moreMeet Amy McNeil, a program coordinator at Isle a la Cache Museum.
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A pair of bald eagles on their nest.
Nature curiosity: Why do eagles lay their eggs in winter?
1/19/2024Read moreWinter might seem like an odd time for laying eggs, but it's the perfect timeline for bald eagles.
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A cicada and two cicada exoskeletons on grass.
Have you heard the buzz? This summer will be a cicada summer
1/12/2024Read moreGet ready for cicada summer. It's been 17 years since periodical cicadas last emerged in northern Illinois, and it's once again their time to shine.
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A view of a bridge over a frozen creek
Beat cabin fever with a winter walk at these all-seasons preserves
1/11/2024Read moreTrying to beat the winter blues? Check out these preserves for a hike that will help you embrace the season.
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A snow-covered trail and trees.
Five freezing facts about snow to tide you over this winter
1/9/2024Read moreLove it or hate it, snow is as essential as rain. Learn to appreciate it with these five fun facts.
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A dark-eyed junco on a bare tree branch with light snow falling.
Dark-eyed juncos are a sure sign of the season
1/8/2024Read moreOne of the first and surest signs that winter is coming is the arrival of dark-eyed juncos, the quintessential snowbird.
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A squirrel on a tree branch.
Five fun facts about our squirrelly squirrels
1/3/2024Read moreSquirrels are common enough that they are just part of the background in nature, but they are pretty interesting creatures when you learn more about them.
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An eastern bluebird on a tree branch.
Not all blue birds are bluebirds: Learn the difference between our blue-hued birds
12/22/2023Read moreNot all blue birds are bluebirds. In our area, we see eastern bluebirds, blue jays and even indigo buntings sporting blue feathers. Learn the differences between these blue-hued birds.
Current Headlines
Commemorate summer of the cicada with a Forest Preserve T-shirt
Prepare for the 2024 cicada emergence with Forest Preserve T-shirts designed to mark this unusual occurrence. Two shirt designs have been created and can be purchased at OutsiderThreads.com. All proceeds benefit The Nature Foundation of Will County.
Bald eagle nesting update: We have confirmed seven eaglets in four nests
The bald eagle population has been booming in Will County in recent years, and we're monitoring four active nests.